What would a typical week look like for a WAVA instructor?

Do teachers cover multiple grade levels?

WAVA teachers are assigned to one grade level in Kindergarten–8th grade. Our teachers must be highly qualified in all grade levels as per the No Child Left Behind Act.

Are teachers assigned students in their own geographical area?

Ideally, yes. WAVA hires the best teacher candidates based on qualifications, not area of residence, although all teachers must be Washington state residents. Families from all around the state can enroll at any time. Because of this dynamic, it is not always possible for a family to be assigned a local teacher. Classes are redistributed in the summertime to account for this.

What is the training process for a WAVA instructor?

While being an online instructor requires many of the same skills as a traditional classroom teacher, many new skills must be acquired. The learning curve is a steep one. New hires participate in a 40-hour online training course as well as 1–2 full days of face-to-face training with WAVA administration in Tacoma. All teachers attend face-to-face professional development meetings throughout the school year and participate in weekly online collaboration sessions.

What supports are available to teachers?

New teachers are paired up with a "Master Teacher" to help them get started. WAVA also has Lead Teachers who work closely with all teachers. Online resources are available as well.

Where do teachers work?

Teachers work from home.

How often do instructors get together?

WAVA teachers gather 3-4 times per year in the Tacoma area for professional development sessions and typically plan their outings regionally with other teachers in their area. They communicate and collaborate constantly via e-mail, and phone as well.

How do families and teachers gather face-to-face?

Each teacher plans a monthly outing for their families. Outings are typically a half- or full-day event. WAVA also plans all-school events multiple times throughout the year, which families and teachers attend. Teachers proctor the MSP and DIBELS tests to their students and occasionally will meet individual families at local libraries or coffee shops for instruction, as needed.

What positive outcomes do your hear from WAVA instructors about the job?

WAVA teachers love that they work closely with parents and students who have made education a priority in their home. They enjoy working with individual students on their specific academic needs.

What do teachers find to be challenging?

While learning how to be a successful online teacher can be invigorating, it can also be challenging, even for the most seasoned teacher. Adjusting to working from a home office may be difficult as well, without having that daily face-to-face interaction with students.

Would it be possible to enroll my own child as a student and be a certified instructor?

Some of our teachers have enrolled their own children in the WAVA program. Many have found that they need additional support for their child from family members, as being a WAVA teacher is definitely a full-time commitment.

Are there part-time opportunities?

At this time, all of our teachers are full time.

How many students are in a teacher's class?

The ratio for general education teachers is presently 1:56. For special education teachers, the ratio is presently 1:35.

What are the student requirements of the program?

As part of the Washington state public school system, WAVA has monthly progress goals, required attendance time, weekly teacher contact, and monthly progress conferences as requirements. For a student to be successful, a home-based learning coach (often a parent), needs to be available to work with the student daily, as well as be in regular contact with the WAVA Washington state-certified teacher.

How is the curriculum assigned to the student?

Students are assigned grade level curriculum in all courses. Upon approval, our students take the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) online assessment in reading and math which helps teachers understand individual skill levels and the kind of specialized instruction each student needs.

What is the attendance time commitment for a student enrolled in WAVA?

For full time students, Washington requires a minimum attendance of 10 hours per week.

What courses are offered through WAVA?

Students in grades 1-8 may take Language, Literature, Math, Science, History, Art, and PE. Kindergarten students have a reduced load that includes Phonics, Language, Math, and Science, only.

Do WAVA students take the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) required by WA State?

Yes. As a public school, Full-time WAVA students take the SBA in grades 3-8, and WAVA teachers and staff proctor the SBA state wide.

How many teachers are currently employed by WAVA?

The WAVA Elementary (grades K-5) and WAVA Middle School (grades 6-8) each have approximately 45 teachers and 1500 students.

What is the process to apply for a WAVA teaching position?

What is the hiring timeline for WAVA?

Students can enroll up through February each school year. Hiring is determined solely on need as driven by enrollment, so hiring occurs year-round. Students must re-enroll yearly, and because of this the summertime hiring is slightly more delayed than in a brick-and-mortar school. We typically interview and hire staff during the months of July and June - August for the coming school year.

How competitive is the hiring process?

Many high quality candidates are interested in expanding their teaching experience to the online realm and WAVA receives hundreds of applicants every year. Our teaching staff is amazingly talented, highly motivated and extremely dedicated to providing the best possible education we can for our students.

Is there some way to view the curriculum or get more information in person?

Yes! Please visit the K12 website to learn about the program WAVA uses to serve its students. There are also videos and family spotlights online where you can learn more about the curriculum and the types of families we work with. You can also view sample online lessons in all subject areas and grade levels.

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Families do not pay tuition for a student to attend an online public school. Common household items and office supplies like printer ink and paper are not provided. Our enrollment consultants can help address your technological and computer questions and needs.

Omak Statement of Non-discrimination

The Omak School District #19 complies with all federal rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. This holds true for all district activities, programs, and employment opportunities. The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX/RCW 28A.640/RCW28A.642 - Omak Officer, LeAnne Olson (509) 826-7687 or WAVA Head of School Mark Christiano (253) 964-1068 and/or Section 504/ADA – Omak Coordinator, Sheila Crowder (509) 826-8143 or WAVA 504 Coordinator Cheryl Zahajko (206) 659-6779. Omak School District is a drug- and tobacco-free workplace. For more information on Omak School District’s Affirmative Action Plan, please visit the "District Information" section located under "Our District" on the Omak School District website.